Organization of a heating system without gas and electricity

Advantages and disadvantages

coal stove

The advantages of coal and wood stoves include the following:

1. The use of coal in areas where it can be mined in large quantities will not cost much money.
2. Charcoal burns longer and cleaner than other materials.
3. Wood burning stoves are effective when installed with an exhaust system.
4. Such furnaces are designed without a screw and any other electromechanical devices.
5. Regular use of such stoves will reduce the cost of heating your home.
6. A charcoal stove is a backup heating system that will keep your home warm in the event of a power failure or lack of gas.

As for the disadvantages of such furnaces, they can be as follows:

1. The fire hazard of such structures is at a high level.
2. Not every home has a place to store a large amount of firewood and coal.
3. Such ovens do not have an automatic feeding system, so they must not be left unattended.
4. The presence of coal can be found not in every region.

Heating of the cottage without gas water heating system on diesel

Diesel boilers can be a replacement for gas heating.

Diesel boilers are quite popular. running on solar or diesel fuel. On sale you can find equipment for kerosene, rapeseed oil and other liquids. The advantages of using such boilers include:

• high level of efficiency (at least 92%);
• no need to obtain permits and approvals for the installation of such a boiler.

Before buying, be sure to find out about the cons:

• high level of fire hazard;
• such a boiler is not considered environmentally friendly;
• fuel for the boiler is difficult to store - for example, for diesel fuel, you need to allocate a separate room, preferably not adjacent to a residential building;
• the cost of fuel is not cheap.

Real advantages and disadvantages

If in Russia geothermal heating of the private sector has received a relatively small distribution, does this mean that the idea is not worth the cost of its implementation? Maybe it's not worth it to deal with this issue? It turned out that this was not the case.

Using a geothermal home heating system is a profitable solution. And there are several reasons for this. Among them is the quick installation of equipment that can work for a long time without any interruptions.

If you use not water in the heating system, but high-quality antifreeze, it will not freeze through and its wear will be minimal.

We list other advantages of this type of heating.

• The procedure for burning fuel is excluded. We create an absolutely fireproof system, which, during its operation, will not be able to cause any damage to housing. In addition, a number of other issues related to the presence of fuel are excluded: now there is no need to look for a place to store it, to procure it or deliver it.
• Substantial economic benefit. During the operation of the system, no additional investments are required. The annual heating is provided by the forces of nature, which we do not buy. Of course, during the operation of a heat pump, electrical energy is consumed, but at the same time, the amount of energy produced significantly exceeds the consumption.
• environmental factor. Geothermal heating of a private country house is an environmentally friendly solution. The absence of the combustion process excludes the entry of combustion products into the atmosphere. If this is realized by many, and such a heat supply system will be properly widespread, the negative impact of people on nature will decrease many times over.
• The compactness of the system. You do not have to organize a separate boiler room in your house. All that will be needed is a heat pump, which can be placed, for example, in the basement. The most voluminous contour of the system will be located underground or under water; you will not see it on the surface of your site.
• Multifunctionality. The system can work both for heating in the cold season, and for cooling during the summer heat.That is, in fact, it will replace you not only with a heater, but also with an air conditioner.
• acoustic comfort. The heat pump runs almost silently.

Choosing a geothermal heating system is cost-effective, despite the fact that you have to spend money on the purchase and installation of equipment.

By the way, as a drawback of the system, it is precisely the costs that you have to go to install the system and prepare it for work. It will be necessary to buy the pump itself and some materials, to carry out the installation of the external manifold and the internal circuit.

It is no secret that resources are becoming more expensive year by year, so an autonomous heating system that can pay off within a few years will always be economically beneficial for its owner.

However, these costs pay off in just the first few years of operation. The subsequent use of a collector laid in the ground or submerged in water saves a lot of money.

In addition, the installation process itself is not so complicated as to invite third-party specialists to perform it. If you do not engage in drilling, then everything else can be done independently.

It should be noted that some craftsmen, in an effort to save money, have learned to assemble a geothermal heat pump with their own hands.

What can be considered alternative heating

It so happened that there is no single approach to the definition and classification. Manufacturers of heating devices, equipment sellers, the media are all ready to exploit this concept in their own way. Quite often, alternative types of home heating are called everything that does not work on gas.This may include a pellet "biofuel" installation, infrared heated floors or an ionic electric boiler. Sometimes the emphasis is on an unusual implementation, for example, “warm plinth” or “warm walls”, in a word, everything is relatively new, which has been actively used since the end of the last century.

So what is really an alternative for a private house? Let's focus on options where three basic principles are observed.

First, we consider only renewable energy sources.

Secondly, the performance of the equipment should be sufficient to at least partially supplement the heating (as the most energy-intensive system), and not just ensure the operation of a few light bulbs.

Thirdly, the cost / profitability of the power plant should be at such a level that it would be advisable to use it for domestic needs.

Method 1 electric convectors

With the help of electric convectors, it is realistic to provide a cheap and efficient heating system. The electric convector is built on the principle of natural air circulation. From the heater, warm air moves upwards, thus stimulating the movement of air inside the room, and ensuring uniform heating. However, the convector is effective only in a warm climate, when the temperature does not fall below 10-15 degrees.

pros

• No forced air blowing. Even in the cleanest home, there are solid particles that lie on surfaces. By artificially blowing warm air out of a heater, this dust becomes part of the air we breathe. Natural air circulation is not so active, therefore, dust does not rise into the air.
• Small size with sufficient power. The heating elements of convectors heat up quickly, converting electricity into heat with an efficiency of up to 80%. In addition, there is a system of operation in different modes, as well as thermostats that allow you to work not constantly, but only when the air temperature drops.
• Mobility that allows you to move the convector around the room, to places with maximum cold supply.
• The possibility of creating a heating system exclusively with the help of convectors or using them as an integral part of a more complex heating system.
• The electric heating element does not heat up more than 100 degrees, and the body - 60 degrees. They have an increased level of protection against moisture, which allows the use of the convector in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Minuses

• The disadvantages of electric convectors is the installation of heaters in every room of the house.
• In addition, if you turn them on at the same time, then there is a possibility of exceeding the limits of permissible power.

In the photo there is an electric convector from Nobo, Norway

Alternative heating: energy sources

As mentioned above, for the arrangement of such heating, you can use the energy of the sun, earth, wind, water, as well as various types of biofuels.

Geothermal heating system

Wind energy

Wind can be very effectively used as a source of energy for heating a home. More than that, it is one of the inexhaustible resources. To use the power of the wind, special devices are used - windmills. The principle of operation of such devices is as follows.

The main part of the windmill is a wind generator of electric current, which, depending on the axis of rotation, can be either vertical or horizontal.A variety of models today are offered by many manufacturers.

The cost of such products depends on the power, material, and build quality. In general, such a device can be built even with your own hands from improvised materials. As a rule, a windmill consists of the following elements:

1. mast;
2. blades;
3. generator;
4. controller;
5. battery;
6. inverter;
7. weather vane - to capture the direction of the wind.

The wind turns the blades of the windmill. The higher the mast, the higher the performance of the device. As a rule, a twenty-five-meter-high windmill is enough to power a private house. The blades drive a generator, which produces a three-phase current. The controller converts it into direct current, which, in turn, charges the batteries.

The current passing through the batteries enters the inverter, where it is converted into a single-phase electric current with a voltage of 220 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz. Such a current is fully suitable for domestic needs, including for a heating system using, for example, electric boilers.

geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the energy of the Earth. This concept refers to the real heat that can be obtained from the earth, as well as water, and even air. But to get such energy, you need special heat pumps. And for such devices to function, the temperature of the environment from which they receive energy must be above zero degrees Celsius.

Heat pumps are devices that take heat from the environment. Depending on the type of medium and the heat carrier used, they can be:

• ground-water;
• water-air;
• air-to-air;
• water-water.

Pumps in which the heat carrier is air are used for air heating systems. Water is used in systems with a liquid coolant.

It is believed that the most profitable system is "water-water". This scheme is applicable if there is a non-freezing reservoir near your house. At the bottom of the latter, a contour for heat intake is laid. On average, a heat pump produces 30 watts of heat energy from one meter of circuit. Therefore, the length of such a pipeline is calculated depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room that needs to be heated.

> The disadvantage of such devices (air pumps) is that they are practically inapplicable in regions with a harsh climate. In addition, in order to start drawing heat from the ground, serious capital investments are required.

Energy of sun

Solar energy is available to man all year round (with the exception of the regions of the Far North). Moreover, it is the energy of the Sun that makes it possible for all life on Earth to exist. Therefore, it is not surprising that it can also be used to heat houses. Currently, two types of devices are used for these purposes - solar panels and solar collectors.

In the first case, under the influence of sunlight, an electric current is generated in the photocells, which is then used to heat the coolant or in another home heating circuit. Solar collectors are a system of tubes filled with a coolant. They directly accumulate solar heat and transfer it, for example, to the underfloor heating system. If you correctly design and install such a solar installation.

biofuel

It is impossible not to say about alternative heating using biofuels.The main element of such a system is a boiler in which biologically pure fuel is burned. As the latter, for example, by-products of the wood processing industry are often used. Further, the heat is transferred by means of a coolant to radiators, which heat the air in the premises.

Hydrogen boilers

Well, the last thing we would like to tell you about in this article is special hydrogen boilers. The principle of operation of such a device is that, during the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a large amount of heat is released, which is used to heat the house.

Types of heating systems for country houses

Types of heating systems may depend on the available energy resource, design features, climatic conditions, and the budget of the dacha owner.

The main types of space heating are:

• gas heaters;
• electric heaters;
• furnace equipment;
• equipment operating on a liquid fuel resource;
• equipment operating on a solid fuel resource;
• universal heating systems.

The choice of each type of heating requires the preparation of a budget of expenses, taking into account the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe building that needs heating. The choice of the method of heat supply will depend on the support of the positive temperature at the time of absence at the summer cottage.

Biofuel boilers

If you intend to change the gas heating system to alternative heating of a private house, then there is no need to organize it from scratch. Very often, only the replacement of the boiler is required. The most popular are those boilers that run on solid fuel or electric boilers.Such boilers are not always profitable in terms of coolant costs.

Particular attention should be paid to such boilers that operate on fuels of biological origin. For the operation of the heating system, in the center of which there is a biofuel boiler, special pellets or briquettes are required

However, other materials can also be used, such as:

• granulated peat;
• chips and wood pellets;
• straw pellets.

The main disadvantage is the fact that such alternative heating of a country house can cost much more than a gas boiler and, moreover, briquettes are quite expensive material.

Wood briquettes for heating

A fireplace can be a great alternative solution for organizing such a system as an alternative home heating system. By means of a fireplace, you can heat a house with a small area, but the quality of heating will largely depend on how well the fireplace was arranged.

With geothermal type pumps, even a large house can be heated. For functioning, such alternative methods of heating a private house use the energy of water or earth. Such a system can perform not only a heating function, but also work as an air conditioner. This will be most relevant in the hot months, when the house does not need to be heated, but cooled. This type of heating system is environmentally friendly and does not harm the environment.

Geothermal heating of a private house

Solar alternative heating sources of a country house - collectors, are plates installed on the roof of a building. They collect solar heat and transfer the accumulated energy to the boiler room by means of a heat carrier.A heat exchanger is installed in the storage tank, into which heat enters. After this process, water is heated, which can be used not only for heating the house, but also for various household needs. Modern technologies have made it possible for such alternative types of heating a private house to collect heat even in wet or cloudy weather.

Solar collectors

However, the best effect of such heating systems can only be obtained in warmer and southern areas. In the northern regions, such alternative heating systems for a country house are suitable for organizing an additional heating system, but not the main one.

Of course, this is not the most affordable method, but every year its popularity is only growing. Alternative heating of a cottage in this way is the simplest from the point of view of such a science as physics. Solar panels stand out in an expensive price category because the manufacturing processes for photovoltaic cells are expensive.

Pellets economical heating of the house without gas and pipes

Pellet boilers are a modern alternative to gas.

Pellets are considered an alternative source of energy. They are made from wood waste (shavings, sawdust) or from agricultural waste.

It is worth noting that many Europeans, trying to find options on how to heat a country house without gas, choose pellet boilers. evaluating the economics of their use.

The benefits of using pellets include:

• environmental safety (one granule contains a maximum of 3% ash);
• maximum safety of use, since this fuel is not subject to self-ignition;
• pellet boilers have a high level of efficiency;
• low cost of "fuel", which ensures energy-saving heating without gas.

Now you know how to heat a cottage without gas. As you can see, there are many different options, and therefore, to choose, you need to focus on your financial capabilities and needs.

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Fuel types

You can heat a detached country house with the following types of fuel:

• firewood
• coal
• pellets
• peat
• oil or diesel
• liquefied gas
• electricity
• solar energy
• geothermal waters

traditional oven

Heating with wood is a traditional way of heating your home in Russia. The procedure is common and familiar to almost everyone. Dry logs of firewood are laid in the furnace of the furnace (afterwards, coal can be added for longer burning) and kindled. As a result of the combustion of wood or coal, the bricks that make up the massive stove are heated, and the heat enters the ambient air of the room.

Naturally, such heating has a lot of shortcomings - you need to bring and chop firewood, put it in a woodpile. During the heating of the stove, one should not leave the house for a long time, as a fire may occur. You also need to close the view on the chimney in time so that the heat remains as long as possible.

However, special attention is required here - an early closed pipe can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning of all residents.

In the morning the house in good frosts becomes very cool, and it is necessary to kindle the stove again to heat it up.

However, despite these shortcomings, the warmth from a wood-burning stove evokes nostalgic feelings and creates a cozy atmosphere in the house. In addition, there is no need to lay pipes, install radiators, which means that costs are significantly reduced.

Solid fuel boilers

A modern solid fuel device can serve as a replacement for the stove, if the question is how to arrange heating at home without gas. It works on the same wood, coal, pellets or liquid fuel.

Currently, a huge number of similar units with different functionality, different brands and models, different in cost are offered.

These units may vary:

• by the number of circuits - one or two
• according to the material of the heat exchanger - steel or cast iron
• according to the method of circulation of the coolant - natural or forced
• and many other options

Solid fuel heating boiler with water circuit

If equipment with one circuit is selected, then the house will be provided only with heat. Two circuits make it possible to also receive hot water for domestic needs. In such devices, there is a boiler inside, where the water is heated to a certain temperature, set by special sensors.

However, if an increased consumption of hot water is expected, then it makes sense to install equipment with a single circuit, but add a separate boiler to it, the volume of which can reach up to 200 liters.

The heat exchanger in boilers can be made of steel or cast iron. Cast iron is more durable due to its resistance to corrosion and can be used for up to 50 years.Steel counterparts do not have such durability. Their term is a maximum of 20 years.

The water that is heated in the heating device can move through the pipes in a natural way - due to the pressure difference between the cold and hot liquid and the correct slope of the pipes. But there are heating systems where the movement of the coolant is carried out by a forced method - using a circulation pump.

All solid fuel devices have low efficiency.

Pyrolysis boilers

If it is not possible to provide heating of the house with gas, then it is recommended to choose condensing or pyrolysis boilers, where the efficiency is much higher. In these devices, the process of fuel combustion occurs somewhat differently than in traditional ones.

The fact is that in conventional units, the fuel is burned, and the combustion products are discharged to the outside. But in the process of combustion, water vapor and carbon dioxide are released, which have a significant temperature.

Pellet boilers

Automatic feeding of pellets

These devices have high efficiency and are equipped with automatic fuel loading. But their use in our country has not yet become popular due to the high cost of both the boilers themselves and the pellets.

However, manufacturers of these units already offer boilers where firewood, pressed briquettes from coal, peat and other plant waste can be used as fuel.

Comparison

Operating costs

Here’s how our members will line up when evaluating their cost-effectiveness:

1. The undisputed leader is solar heat. Collectors convert it into heating of the coolant for free. Electricity is consumed only by circulation pumps;

Pitched roof with solar collectors.

1. In second place is a solid fuel boiler that runs on wood.Yes, yes, I am aware that we are in the 21st century. Such are Russian realities: in the absence of main gas and with a short daylight, firewood is still more economical than all other heat sources and provides a kilowatt-hour cost of 0.9 - 1.1 rubles;
2. The third place is shared by pellets and coal. Depending on local prices for energy carriers, a kilowatt-hour of heat obtained by burning them will cost 1.4-1.6 rubles;
3. Liquefied gas from a gas tank provides the cost of a kilowatt-hour of 2.3 rubles;
4. The use of cylinders increases it to 2.8 - 3 rubles;

LPG station will allow you not to change the cylinder daily.

1. Diesel-fueled liquid fuel boilers generate heat at an average cost of about 3.2 r/kWh;

1. Explicit outsiders are electric boilers. The price of a kilowatt-hour of heat obtained by heating water with a heating element or any other direct heating device is equal to the cost of a kilowatt-hour of electricity and, at current tariffs, is approximately 4 rubles.

Induction electric boiler. Its undoubted advantage is reliability. But in terms of economy, it is no different from a device with heating elements.

Installation costs

How much will it cost to make heating in the country or in a country house?

In order not to introduce confusion due to the spread of the parameters of the heating system, I will compare the average cost of heat sources of the same rated power - 15 kW.

Gas boiler - from 25 thousand rubles;

• Pellet boiler - from 110,000;
• Electric boiler - from 7000;
• Solid fuel boiler - 20000;
• Liquid fuel (on diesel fuel or mining) - from 30,000;
• Solar collectors with a total capacity of 45 kW (three times the power reserve compensates for downtime at night) - from 700,000 rubles.

Downtime at night has to be compensated by the number of collectors.

It is obvious that a reasonable balance of the cost of a kilowatt-hour of heat and the heating equipment itself is provided only by firewood and coal. A good alternative to them - used oil - cannot participate on equal terms in our competition due to the inaccessibility of this energy carrier.

Free solar heat, in fact, turns out to be prohibitively expensive at the installation stage: the cost of the thermal energy accumulator will be added to the exorbitant costs for the collectors themselves.

Scheme of a heating system with solar collectors.

Ease of use

Laziness, as you know, is the engine of progress. You want to heat your home not only cheaply, but also with minimal time and effort.

What about different heating options with autonomy?

1. Leading electric boilers. They work indefinitely and do not require maintenance from the word "absolutely". The coolant temperature can be controlled automatically using a remote electronic thermostat. Electrical equipment allows you to program daily and weekly cycles (for example, reduce the temperature during your absence);

Remote thermostat for electric boiler.

1. A gas boiler with a gas tank provides autonomy for several months, or even for a whole season. It differs unfavorably from an electric boiler in the need to remove combustion products, so the location of the device is tied to ventilation, a chimney or external walls of a private house;
2. The autonomy of the device on liquid fuel is limited only by the volume of the fuel tank;

Diesel boiler house.

1. The use of several cylinders connected in parallel reduces the autonomy of heating equipment to a week;
2. Approximately the same amount of time a pellet boiler can work on one load;
3. A solid fuel boiler needs to be filled every few hours and the ash pan needs to be cleaned periodically. This period can be increased by limiting the heat output with a covered air damper, but at the same time, incomplete combustion of the fuel will reduce the efficiency of the device and, accordingly, increase the owner's heating costs.

What is the result? And in the end, comrades, we have to choose between a limited autonomy of the pellet boiler with its rather high cost, continuous kindling of a solid fuel appliance and the exorbitant cost of thermal energy from an electric boiler.

The main problem of solid fuel heating is frequent kindling.